Abure-led LP applauds A’Court for halting deregistration of ADC, others

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has lauded the Court of Appeal's decision to suspend a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of five political parties. This intervention is seen by the party as a significant win for democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.

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The Appeal Court has done the right thing. It is not proper for Justice Lifu to rush into making that judgment, especially on the eve of an Appeal Court sitting. He ought to know that the appellate court has powers over the lower court.

The appellate court's order halts the implementation of a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party. Obiora Ifoh, the factional National Publicity Secretary, criticized Justice Lifu's decision, alleging that the judge ignored established legal norms and judicial hierarchy.

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Again, he does not have the power, according to the hierarchy of the judiciary, to go into that judgment. That is exactly what we are pointing out here. The National Judicial Council should look into this matter.

Ifoh expressed concern over perceived declining standards within parts of the judiciary, pointing to previous judgments by the same judge that he claims have adversely affected the Labour Party. He questioned the judge's haste in issuing the deregistration order, especially on the eve of an appeal hearing, and suggested that the National Judicial Council should investigate the matter. The Labour Party argues that such judgments disrupt electoral processes, affecting candidates who have already emerged and preparations for future elections.

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As a party, we believe the stay of execution by the Appeal Court was in order. It should be allowed to look into that matter. There are a whole lot of things involved. Why allow political parties to sell forms, make presentations and bring people to contest before giving such a judgment? What do you want those people to do?

The party emphasized that the implications of Justice Lifu's ruling extend beyond the directly affected parties. Ifoh stated that the Labour Party itself has been a major victim of judicial inconsistencies, citing past rulings by Justice Lifu that he believes interfered with the party's internal affairs. The party views the Court of Appeal's stay of execution as a necessary step to allow a thorough review of the matter.

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It must be noted that apart from the deregistration of ADC and some other political parties, we in the Labour Party are the worst hit by the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu.